Car drivers are being urged to see the person behind the helmet and take longer to look for motorcyclists in the latest THINK! motorcycle safety campaign.

The £1.3 million campaign, timed to coincide with the anticipated Spring increase in motorcyclists’ return to the roads, encourages drivers to take longer to look for motorcyclists and think about the biker, not just the bike.

In 2011, 5,609 motorcyclists were killed or seriously injured, with 74% of these occurring in accidents involving another vehicle. The figures also show that 69% of these casualties happened at junctions.

According to the Government, the number of accidents increases significantly during March and April as improved weather encourages more motorcyclists onto the road.